Game ball mixer and dispenser



Feb. 16, 1954 J. J. HICKEY GAME BALL MIXER AND DISPENSER File d Jan. 24, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. JOHN J H/C/L EY 5/"... YIEVGZLQQH W Feb. 16, 1954 J, J c -y 2,669,456

GAME BALL MIXER AND DISPENSER Filed Jan. 24, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 m .52 Fig- 5 \f 0 a f 67 6-3.-

INVENTOR. JOHN J. H/C/(E'Y BY -.54 f ,qz-rore vsv-s Patented Feb. 16, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 6 Claims.

This invention relates to a mixing, dealing, and displaying device for games using small balls marked with card game or other insignia.

In applicants Patent No. 2,349,623, issued May 23, 1944, there was disclosed a drum confined to mixing and dealing the balls by the gravitational falling of strips or slides which discharged the balls into channels, chutes, and parallel grooves on an affixed case cover or table top.

It is an object of the instant invention to provide a greatly simplified device compared with known similar devices that will not only shuffie and deal the playing units but will directly display the dealt unit.

Other objects of the instant invention will become apparent in the course of the following specification.

In the attainment of these objectives, the device is made in two main forms, one of which uses a transparent drum and a coacting transparent hopper while the other uses an opaque drum without the hopper. In the transparent form, the allocating display mechanism is consituted of at least three coacting parts within the drum. In the opaque form, the allocating display mechanism is substantially a single unit in two forms attached to the outside of the drum. Each form of the single unit could be used with the transparent drum, While the three coacting parts constituting the allocating display mechanism for the transparent drum could be used with the opaque drum, especially if it too were made transparent and provided with access means. In the transparent drum, one blade is used for mixing and, in coaction with the three parts of the allocating display mechanism, to aid in allocating and displaying one ball. In the opaque drum two blades are used for mixing, one of which aids in the allocating and display step.

The invention will appear more clearly when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings showing by way of example the preferred embodiments of the inventive idea.

-In the drawings:

Figures 1 through 4 show the first form of the device made from transparent material and constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention, and in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the device;

Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the device shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Figure l; and

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line [-4 of Figure 1.

Figures 5 through 7 show the second form of the device made from opaque material, and in which:

Figure 5 is a front elevational view in part section with one form of allocating display mechanism in the zenith position;

Figure 6 is similar to Figure 5 but with the allocating display mechanism in the nadir position; and

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken along the line 1--1 of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a front elevational View in part section and on a reduced scale of another form of allocating display mechanism used with the transparent device shown in Figures 1. through 4 and equally useful with the opaque device shown in Figures 5 through '7.

Referring now to the first form of the device shown in Figures 1 through 4, where like reference numerals indicate like parts, reference numeral I0 indicates the frame, II the hopper, [2 the drum, and 13 the balls.

The frame III is constituted of the front leg members l4 and I5 (Fig. 2) and the back leg members It and I! (Fig. 1) which support in a horizontal plane a frame having the front member l8 spaced parallel from the back member I9 and the side members 20 and ii. All of the legs and the members of the frame are formed from transparent material and are attached along corresponding ends by any known means. The transparent material may be Lucite or the like.

Through the aligned openings 22 and. 23 (Fig. l) in the front and back members it and I9, respectively, the shaft 24 is rotatably passed. The shaft protrudes forwardly of the member 58 as shown in Figure 1 and to the protruding end is a weighted handle member 25 attached by any suitable means, the means shown being the set screw 26 (Figs. 1 and 3).

Of course, the handle member 25 can be replaced by a handle member of dilferent weight.

Vertically inserted at the front of the frame 10 is the transparent drum I2. The drum 82 has one end member 21 of circular form and extended rearwardly from the periphery thereof is the rim 28, the rim being perpendicular to the plane of the end member. The shaft 24 is passed through the center of the end member 2'! and keyed thereto in any desired manner so that as the weighted handle member 25 is rotated the drum is simultaneously rotated.

Rearwardly of the drum and also disposed in the frame is the transparent hopper II constituted of a back member 29 of substantially semi-circular form with the arcuate periphery downwardly directed and the upper straight line edge secured in any known manner to the back member E9 of the frame. Extended forwardly from the semi-circular rim of the back member 29 is an arcuate body portion 30 which is inclined downwardly and forwardly to the bottom of the drum l2. Adjacent the drum, the hopper may be supported in the frame by any suitable means such as the angular members 3| and 32 (Fig. 2) secured to the corresponding side members of the frame and also to theangular portions 33 and 34, respectively, formed along the upper edges of the arcuate body portion and downwardly and rearwardly inclined from the drum to provide retaining baflies for the balls when the drum is revolved at relatively high speed.

Within the drum is a transparent blade 35 (Figs. 1 and 2) of triangular cross section with one side adjacent the end member 21 of the drum and with the opposite edge along the axis of rotation or shaft 24 and aligned with the inner and free edge of the rim 23, that is the perpendicular height of the blade from the side against the end member is equal to the width of the rim. It is to be noted in Figure 2 that the edge of the blade along the axis of rotation is also aligned with the weighted handle member. On one side of the blade 35, above the shaft and the weighted handle, is a baffle 36 of rectangular cross section, one side being adjacent the blade with another side adjacent the rim, and with one end against the end member 21.

V Rearwardly of the baffle 36 and coacting therewith is a pocket 39 constituted of a front member 3'! of substantially rectangular cross section, one end of which is fastened in any known manner to the inner periphery of the rim and an adjoining side to the edge of the blade, the other end and side being unattached. The area of the front member is made substantially equal to the cross sectional area of a ball through the center. A retarding member 38 coacting with the front member is transversely disposed on the blade adjacent the free end of the front member and directed toward the end of the baffle 35 adjacent the end member 21 of the drum. The free or inner end of the baiile 32: is spaced from the front member a distance greater than the diameter of a ball and is positioned outwardly relative to the retarding member. Radially displaced from the pocket 39 and on the same side of the blade is the display cup 49. The cup lie is constituted of the base member 4| secured to the blade in any known manner. Protruding from the base member are the retaining prongs Ma and 42 which flare outwardly toward the pocket as illustrated, and which at the attached ends are spaced from the blade a distance greater than the diameter of a ball and spaced apart a distance less than the diameter of a ball. In the other three corners of the blade, that is the corners comparable to that occupied by the pocket 39, are the similar baflies 53 disposed between the edge of the blade and the rim at a point forwardly of the free edge thereof as shown.

The balls [3 are formed from any suitable material and carry or are marked with card game or other suitable insignia.

a In operation:

A mass of balls 13 are placed in the hopper il through the open top where, by virtue of the arcuate and inclined body portion, the balls will 4 roll by gravity into the bottom of the drum and around the blade 35. The drum (Fig. 2) when revolved clockwise with the aid of the blade efiiciently mixes the mass of the balls. When revolved counterclockwise, that is the dealing operation, the blade while further mixing the balls will force some in the mass when moving to the 90 level against the bafiie 36 which directs the balls toward the pocket 38 where one will be temporarily held by the coaction of the front member 3'! and the retarding member 38 while the overflow will fall back into the hopper and thence roll into the bottom of the drum. Even when only one ball remains in the device, the movement of the ball will be toward the pocket 39. When the pocket 39 reaches the zenith of rotation, it is vertically above the display cup 43. At a point between and zenith, the ball carried by the pocket and momentarily retained by the retarding member 38 will fall into the cup ii). Any ball in the device could possibly roll directly into the cup and become the allocated ball. Later, when another ball carried by the pocket falls toward the cup, it will be deflected by the already entrapped ball back into the hopper. However, such will not disturb the accuracy of the deal which requires but one ball. any ball in the device during the dealing operation. As a matter of fact, such chance is desirable. The ball displayed in the cup permits convenient withdrawal by the operator to a box, display board, or other accessorial holder. The

mechanism provides a display of the ball at a case, the board will have fifty-two compartments in five vertical rows. By using the subject device for the shuffling, dealing, and part of the display steps, the board being used for the remainder oi the display, will conform with the design. A sole player of solitaire upon using the subject device for shufliing and dealing can use five numbered vertical rows and five lettered horizontal rows ofthe display board for playing.

many of the games of poker-solitaire described in any standard book on the subject.- Also several players of poker can use that square of 10 rows for playing various games of poker.

Referring now to the form of the device using the opaque drum as shown in Figuresb, 6, and '7,

' reference numeral 53 indicates the frame, 5i

the drum, and 52 the allocating display mechanism.

The frame 50 is constituted of the horizontal members 53 and 54 maintained in spaced parallel arrangement by a tie bar (not shown) attached by any suitable means to the horizontal members at the center. Extended upwardly from the center of each horizontal member are the vertical supporting members 55 and 55, respectively. At equal distances from the horizontal members openings are made in the vertical members and through the aligned openings a shaft 51 (Fig. 5) is rotatably inserted. The end of the shaft on the side of the vertical supporting member 55 is extended and to the extended enda weighted handle member 58 is attached in any known manner (not shown) Obviously, the handle member 58 can be made replaceable as in the handle member of the first form so that a handle member correlated with the weight of the balls in the drum can be used, the number of balls varying from game to game, and the weight of the balls varying with the material from which formed.

The drum 5| is rotatably inserted between the vertical supporting members 55 and 56 and is keyed to the shaft 51 in any desirable manner, the shaft passing between two spaced end mem-- bers 59 and 60 (Fig. 7) of the drum. A rim 6! is disposed between the peripheries of the end members and a portion of the rim opposite the weighted handle 58 is hinged by any suitable hinge means 62 and 63 (Figs. 5 and 7). The opposite or free end of the hinged portion is releasably attached in the closed position to the contiguous surface of the rim by any suitable catch and latch 64. In the hinged portion of the rim and opposite the handle member 58 (Fig. 5) is an opening 65. The opening is shown as being of rectangular form but other forms could be used as long as the area of the opening is greater than the cross sectional area of a ball at the center.

In the drum are two blades 66 and 61, both of triangular cross section with one side against an end member of the drum and with the opposite edges through the shaft 5'! and spaced from the sides of the opening 65, each blade being turned at 90 to the other. One side of the blade 66 is aligned with one end of a baffle 68 disposed around the periphery of the opening and continued to the opposite side of the drum as illustrated.

Disposed over the opening 65 on the outside of the hinged portion is the allocating display mechanism 52 coacting with the previously mentioned baffle 68. The mechanism 52 is formed with the side members 69 and 16 (Fig. 7) disposed on the outer surface of the hinged portion of the rim and held in spaced parallel arrangement perpendicular to a vertical plane through the driven shaft when the drum is free and at rest by an end member H attached in any known manner to corresponding ends of the side members. As will be noted in the illustration, both ends of the side members protrude beyond the ends of the opening for a distance substantially equal to the diameter of a ball and the end member H is on the side of the opening opposite to the baflle 68. The flexible ball guides 12 and 13 are attached along the edges of the side members and are inwardly directed in opposed relationship over the opening to provide a receptacle and guideway for the balls passing through the opening as later shown. Intermediate the side members and parallel thereto is a lever 14, pivotally mounted in the end member H by any suitable means and with the power arm protruding therefrom and with the weight arm extending to the most remote side of the opening 65. A resilient ball retainer 15 is disposed in the guideway, one end being attached to the side member 16 and with the free end extended outwardly and inwardly toward the opposite side member, while a stop 65a (Fig. 6) intermediate the end member and the opening limits the rotation of the lever in two directions.

The device of the second form may also be made of transparent material like the first but in the first form the interior Walls are readily cleaned. If transparent, the interior or the drum of the second form will soon become clouded through contact with finger handled dirty wooden balls. However, the interior of the drum 5| could be readily cleaned by providing a second hinged portion in the rim which is not shown. On the other hand, the allocating display chamber alone may be formed from transparent material.

In operation:

A plurality of balls (not shown) are dumped into the drum through the hinged portion. During the clockwise rotation of the drum (Fig. 5)

.each of the blades 65 and 61 will shift a substantial number of the balls across the drum onto the opposite blade which then functions likewise accomplishing a thorough mixing of the balls upon four or five clockwise revolutions. When the drum is revolved counterclockwise some of the balls with the aid of the blade 66 and the coacting baflle 68 will be directed toward the opening 65 at or near the nadir position and one will pass through that opening to be caught by the guides 12 and 13 and, as the counter-clockwise movement continues, it will roll under gravity and the pressure of other balls crowding to get through the opening toward the open ends of the side members 69 and H1 to be held in the outer end of the guideway by the retainer 75 and entrapped by the weight arm of the lever 14 swinging toward and closing the opening as the chamber rotates to the zenith position. The baffle 68 coacting with the blade 66 actually has a funneling action which becomes especially important when the number of mixed balls remaining in the drum is reduced to one or a few and assures no miss in dealing even when only one ball remains to be elevated by the drum and displayed in the chamber. By forming the, handle member 58 of heavy material, the chamber will normally be at the zenith position of the drum when free to rotate, the most advantageous location for desired visibility. The retainer 15 facilitates the withdrawal of the displayed ball from the chamber for transfer to an accessorial box, holding board, or other container. By extending the power arm of the lever (4 beyond the end member H, as illustrated, a convenient means is provided for lifting the weight arm entrapping a ball so that it can be returned to the drum through the opening 65. Such release may be used in deciding tie scores, selecting the first dealer, playing high spade, and in certain games of solitaire. In the counterclockwise or dealing rotation of the drum, the allocating display mechanism 52 functions like a cup, from the nadir position up to the zenith, which captures balls and allocates one as stated. But, in the clockwise or mixing rotation'of the drum, the inverted cup will not designedly entrap or hold any balls. Any of the balls which happen to enter the cup at or near the nadir position will roll back into the drum before the cup is lifted to the zenith position. Hence, no balls: are allocated in the mixing rotation.

Another form of allocating display chamber is shown in Figure 8, used as illustrated, in conjunction with the transparent drum of the first form. However, it is to be noted that the alloeating and display mechanism already described in the first form has been eliminated and an opening formed in the rim of the drum. The opening may or may not be in a hinged portion of the drum rim and the blades of the second form could be readily substituted for the blade of the first form. Of course, a baflle may be requilted on 'the 'inne-r surface oithe-ri-m' around opening to fimnelithe balls therethrough; It is alsoto be noted that the: allocating di'splay chant ber ofFigure 8 'could be readily-substituted for the similar'mecha-nism shown Figures 5,6, and 7 and already. described.

Referring now to the allocating d-isplaymeeh anism shown in Figure 8, reference numeral indicates the drum, and 8| the allocating, display mechanism.

The drum 80': is the same as that described previously for the: first form except that an: opening 82' has-been provided in the rim direotlyopposite' the weighted handle 83,. and that a -bafile member similar tethebafiie 680i the: second form and not shownis provided on the-innersnrface of the rim. 0n the outside of the'rim and over the opening is meal-locating displaychamher 81 constituted of an end member 84 hinge'd 1y disposedby any suitable-means-85 on therim of the drum. Protruding forwardiy oftheend member are: two spaced flexible members, one ot' which is shown by numeral 85:, the members being spacedalong thesides of the opening per-- pendicular-toa vertical plane: through the axis-of the: drum when the drum is free and atrest, the flexible members being contracted at thaend; On theonte'r end: of the end member'are two spaced flexible ball guides 86 spaced apart a. distance less than the diameter ofa ball and spaced from the flexible members a distancegreater than the diameter of aball. Both the flexible; members: and the ball guides protrude beyondtheopening 82 a distance substantially equal to the diameter of aball. Disposed on the drum between the flexible membersand adjacent the side-of the opening most remote-from the hingedly mounted end member isthe-ba-ll retainer 81 attheend of which-adjacenttheopening is a vertically disposed member 88; On theopposite: side of the end member 86, isa stop 8i limiting the rotation ofthe end member while on: theside of the end member adjacent the open ing is: a weigh-ted member 89.

It will be: understood that the invention is not limited to the exact disclosureherein'deseribed but may: lend itself to a-variety 015- expressions within the scope of the appended claimsr What is claimed is 1'. A- mixing, dealing, anddispl'ayi'ng device employing balls with card-game insignia, thedevice. comprisinga frame supporting a drum -inavertical piane, the frame comprising spacedparaliel horizontal members; a tie bar disposed 7 between the horizontal members substantially at sidemembers at the center, and means for key-- ing the drum to the shaft, a portion ofthe drum rim substantially opposite the weightedhandle member being hingedly secured to all-210111366115 portion, of the rim, means for releasablysecur ingthe free end of the hinged portion tothecor-'- respondingportion of the=rim, the hinged portion having an opening formed therein, the opening- 8; beingof greater magnitude-than thatof across sectionof aball' through thecenterand substantially aligned with the weighted handle member, and allocating display means for the balls 7 disposed-onlthe outer surface ofthe rim and adjacent' the opening; the drum further: comprising two blades disposed therein, each blade being o'f according to claim 1 in which the allocating display means comprises side members disposed' i r'r spaced parallel arrangement on opposite sides. of the opening in thehing'ed portion, said side memlhers being perpendicular to a vertical plane through the axis of rotation when the drum is fieeandatrest, an end member disposedlalong corresponding-ends of said side members, the freeends of said side members being extended beyond said opening a distance substantially equal to the diameter of a ball; the allocatingdisplayineansfurther comprisinginwardl'y di rested bail guides disposed in opposed relation-- ship-- along the edges of 7 said 1 side members, a

lever pivotally disposed in said'end memberinif terinediate said side members, said lever havinga weight arm and a power arm, the *weightarm being extended to a point adjacent the most re mote side of said opening and" the power arm beingextended beyond said end member adistance less than thelength of the weight arm, a

stopfor saidjl'ever limiting the rotation thereofin two: directions disposed on the druni rim indrum adjacent the end of said openingand opposite said step and coasting with at least one blade to funnel a ballinto said opening.

3 A mixing, dealing, and displaying device according to: claim: Iin which the alloeating display means comprises an end member pivotall-y disposed adjacent one end oi the opening-in the rim; said end member being weighted on: the: side he opening, a flexible member disposed on as end member adjaeenteach side of said opening and substantially perpendicular to a-vertical plane: through. the axis of rotationof'th'e drum :i i e'e': and at rest, said flexible member's lee-- ing: in spaced parallel arrangement at a distance greaterthan the diameter of a ballithe free ends of said flexible members being inwardly directedandprotruding beyond said opening a distance greater than the diameter of a ball, a flexible ball guide disposed on the weighted end memberon each side-of; said opening, said guides being spaced from said fiexibie members adis tance greater than the diameter of a ball andfrom each other a distance less than the diameterof abal-l the free ends of saidgu-idesbeing inwardlydirected and: extending substantially todisposed on the rim intermediate the free ends of said flexible members and adjacent the edge of said opening most remote from said weighted end member, said retainer having an upright portion adjacent said opening, a stop for said end member disposed on the rim on the side of said end member most remote from said opening, and at least one baffle disposed on the inner surface of the rim adjacent said opening and coacting with at least one blade to funnel a ball into said opening.

l. A mixing, dealing, and displaying device employing balls with card game insignia, the device comprising a shaft, rotatable mounting means for said shaft, a drum keyed to said shaft, said drum comprising at least one end member, a rim disposed around the periphery of said end member and perpendicular to the plane thereof, means for retaining the balls in the drum, a weighted handle member removably disposed on said shaft, at least one blade of triangular cross section disposed in said drum, said blade having one edge outwardly directed from the end memher and substantially aligned with said handle member, ball allocating display means coacting with said blade for said drum, said means being radially displaced from the axis of rotation of said drum and substantially opposite said handle member.

5. A mixing, dealing, and displaying device employing balls with card game insignia, the device comprising a rectangular frame, means for supporting said frame in a horizontal plane, a shaft rotatably disposed between opposite sides of said frame and protruding from one side thereof, a weighted handle member removably disposed on the protruding end of said shaft, a drum rotatably disposed in one end of said frame an keyed to said shaft, said drum comprising an end member, a rim disposed around the periphery of said end member perpendicular to the plane thereof and directed toward the opposite end of said frame, a blade disposed in said drum, said blade being of triangular cross section with one edge outwardly directed from said end member and substantially aligned with said handle member and flush with the periphcry of the rim opposite said end member; the device further comprising a hopper for the opposite end of said frame, said hopper having an end member adjacent said frame at the back and side and bottom portions of arcuate form disposed along the periphery of the end member and inclined downwardly to the bottom of the open end of said drum, the top of said hopper being open an substantially in the plane of said frame; the device further comprising ball allocating display means for said drum, and means for retaining the balls in the device disposed on said hopper and in said drum, said second mentioned means comprising a bafile disposed at the top of said arcuate body portion of the hopper on each side of said frame, and a second bafile disposed on at least one side of said blade intermediate the rim and the outwardly directed edge of said blade.

6. A mixing, dealing, and displaying device according to claim 5 in which the ball allocating display means comprises a pocket for the drum, said pocket comprising a substantially rectangular front member disposed intermediate the outer edge of the blade and the contiguous edge of the rim, and a retarding member disposed on the blade substantially at the free end of said front member; the ball allocating display means further comprising a baflle coacting with said pocket, said baffle comprising a strip disposed intermediate said blade and the contiguous surface portion of the rim, said baflie being of triangular cross section with one side against the blade and another side against the rim and with one end against the end member and with the free end spaced from said front member a distance greater than the diameter of a ball, a cup coacting with said pocket, said cup comprising a base member disposed on the blade intermediate said pocket and the axis of rotation, and at least two retaining prongs disposed on said base member and directed toward said pocket, said prongs being spaced apart a distance less than the diameter of a ball and spaced from the blade a distance substantially equal to the diameter of a ball.

JOHN J. HICKEY.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 633,791 Burnett Sept. 26, 1899 2,203,886 Zamora June 11, 1940 2,349,623 Hickey May 23, 1944 2,396,475 Rodekurt Mar. 12, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 196,795 Great Britain May 3, 1923 

